shment, asked what had become of the merchant. "Merchant!" said
she, "he is no more a merchant than I am!" and she told him the whole
story, assuring him that it was a plot of the robbers of the forest, of
whom only three were left, and that the white and red chalk marks had
something to do with it. Ali Baba at once gave Morgiana her freedom,
saying that he owed her his life. They then buried the bodies in Ali
Baba's garden, while the mules were sold in the market by his slaves.

The Captain returned to his lonely cave, which seemed frightful to
him without his lost companions, and firmly resolved to avenge them by
killing Ali Baba. He dressed himself carefully, and went into the town,
where he took lodgings in an inn. In the course of a great many journeys
to the forest he carried away many rich stuffs and much fine linen, and
set up a shop opposite that of Ali Baba's son. He called himself Cogia
Hassan, and as he was both civil and well dressed he soon made friends
with Ali Baba's son, and through him with Ali Baba, whom he was
continually asking to sup with him. Ali Baba, wishing to return his
kindness, invited him into his house and received him smiling, thanking
him for his kindness to his son. When the merchant was about to take his
leave Ali Baba stopped him, saying: "Where are you going, sir, in such
haste? Will you not stay and sup with me?" The merchant refused, saying
that he had a reason; and, on Ali Baba's asking him what that was, he
replied: "It is, sir, that I can eat no victuals that have any salt
in them." "If that is all," said Ali Baba, "let me tell you that there
shall be no salt in either the meat or the bread that we eat to-night."
He went to give this order to Morgiana, who was much surprised. "Who is
this man," she said, "who eats no salt with his meat?" "He is an honest
man, Morgiana," returned her master; "therefore do as I bid you." But
she could not withstand a desire to see this strange man, so she helped
Abdallah to carry up the dishes, and saw in a moment that Cogia Hassan
was the robber Captain, and carried a dagger under his garment. "I am
not surprised," she said to herself, "that this wicked man, who intends
to kill my master, will eat no salt with him; but I will hinder his
plans."

She sent up the supper by Abdallah, while she made ready for one of the
boldest acts that could be thought on. When the dessert had been served,
Cogia Hassan was left alone with Ali Baba and his son, whom